Agüero at double as Argentina overpower Bosnians

Manchester City FC's Sergio Agüero scored twice as Argentina beat fellow 2014 FIFA World Cup finalists Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in St Louis, United States.

Agüero, wearing the No10 shirt in absence of injured captain Lionel Messi, broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time. He doubled the advantage midway through the second half and could have had a hat-trick but blasted the ball over the bar on 75 minutes after goalkeeper Asmir Begović had parried a shot from Rodrigo Palacio.

Substitute Erik Lamela also had two good opportunities in the dying minutes and the scoreline could have been more one-sided, but Bosnia and Herzegovina, too, had chances. Safet Sušić's team, for who FC Schalke 04's Sead Kolasinac made his debut, might have taken an early lead as Vedad Ibišević and Edin Džeko went close.

Yet an estimated 30,000 Bosnian fans would be disappointed in Missouri as Argentina took control. Ángel Di María was pulling the strings and it was his headed pass into the box that led to the first goal on 40 minutes. Begović managed to deny the onrushing Palacio but Agüero was on hand to steer the ball between two defenders and into the net.

The Bosnians rallied, with Edin Višća and Ibišević having sighters, before Agüero struck again as he applied a left-footed volley to Maxi Rodríguez's fine through ball from deep. It could have got worse though Džeko almost pulled one back after escaping his marker but his stinging shot was beaten away.